Beyond resilience: Supporting nurses with compassionate leadership

In celebration of Nurses Month, in this episode, recently retired Chief Nursing Officer AnnMarie Papa, DNP, RN, CEN, NE-BC, FAEN, FAAN discusses how nurse leaders can mitigate critical issues facing nurses today, such as burnout, staffing shortages, workplace violence, and a lack of meaningful support. Supporting nurses with compassion is essential to the future of the profession. Rather than placing the burden of resilience on nurses, she advocates for nurse leaders to be authentic, present, and empathetic, asking staff what they truly need. Strong leadership involves humility, mutual elevation between staff and leaders, and tailored approaches that consider generational differences in learning and work preferences. AnnMarie also notes the need for systemic changes including violence prevention through risk assessment and legislation, trauma-informed care, and improved incident reporting processes. She encourages nurses to get involved in policy advocacy and to use storytelling—drawing from their own impactful patient experiences—as a powerful tool to influence change and affirm their purpose.

After listening, visit our topical collection on Nurse Wellness for the latest in research and thought leadership promoting self-care for nurses.

Transcript